“Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam”

Some thoughts on Dr. King’s birthday, the Tuscon shooting and the notion that this administration using MLK’s name to support the Pentagon’s war effort. It is not only ludicrous – but shameful.

There are many in this country who are still disturbed by the violence in Tucson last week and hear the words echoed by our president who said, “…we need to do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.”

I’m sure many of America’s children expect to know why their parents can’t find work.

Many should expect to understand why their families homes are in foreclosure even when their parents pay on time. Many college-aged children expect an explanation as to why banks get billion dollar bonuses for committing fraud when they can’t pay their skyrocketing tuition costs.

Today, we are now at war longer than the one in Viet Nam.

This weekend, for Dr. King’s birthday, I had to share this speech. You will likely not hear how he applauded dissent when our country most needed it. How outspoken he was about the war and the needs of the poorest Americans, both black and white. Dr. King may never have considered himself a hero simply for speaking the truth, but now we have arrived at a time in history where we understand…

Telling the truth is indeed, a revolutionary act.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King.  America would do better by its children if it lived up to your expectations.

I Hear America Singing

by Walt Whitman (from Leaves of Grass)
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be
blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing as he measures his plank and beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work,
or leaves off for work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the
deck-hand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter
singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the
morning, or at noon intermission or at
sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at
work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to no one else,
The day what belongs to the day – at night the party of
young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

 

feature: Sita Sings The Blues

Grab the popcorn and the kids. Great message, lots of humor and plenty of great music. Enjoy!

See more at Sita Sites. More about the artists that brought this wonderful story to life here.